Kim writes: Just to let you know, a while back I wrote asking when the LOTR chess set based on the movie would be available in the USA. You could get it in the UK, through a company called "Character Games, Ltd" but not here. The person I contacted, a Mr. Danny Kishon wrote me back and told me that they didn't have any plans on making it available in the USA at the time, but would let me know if that changed. Well, he wrote me back and apparently Hasbro Games will be launching it later this year!!

Sunday, May 26, 2002

Weekly Ebay Items - Xoanon @ 22:39 PSTEach week, I scour Ebay looking for the hot Tolkien items up for sale. I post the most interesting here for you to bid on. You can click on any item you wish, it does not mean you are bidding for the item. Have fun and keep checking back here every week! See something I've missed on another auction site? Drop me a line!

Merry Discount...and Muppets! - Calisuri @ 11:50 PSTSideshow/Weta Collectibles has updated their Lord of the Rings homepage with a $3 discount on the Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck polystone bust. And while its not Lord of the Rings related, Sideshow/Weta has also started pre-ordering The Muppet Show polystone busts! Currently you can order Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Rowlf the Dog. [LOTR Busts] [Muppets]

I went to the recent Book Expo in New York, and was afforded quite a treat at the Houghton Mifflin booth. They had the new The Art Of LOTR:FOTR book out on display, and I got to thumb through it nearly everytime I walked by their booth. Near the end of the day on Sunday, I was given one of the few books they had brought with them, so I am now holding it (after being dumb enough to ship it home instead of carrying it home). The book should be on shelves in bookstores all over the place in the next 2-3 weeks, as they mentioned that it had just started shipping. So, here's a little review of what's in it.

The book itself is 192 pages long, and is at least twice as thick as the hardcover Visual Companion book. This one is also in hardcover, with an overleaf of the Pillars of Argonath. The back cover is a shadowy image of one Black Rider overlooking a valley. It clearly states on the back that this book contains 500 exclusive paintings and drawings from the film, so don't expect me to go over the whole book for you. The book is split into chapters that focus on locations, costumes, armory, and creatures.

It is full of comparison pictures. You see sketches, paintings and then photos of what was actually on set, and then what it looked like after the composites had been added. One example is Weathertop. There is a stunning image of the actual rock, and then a picture of that rock with the ruins ontop, which was the artwork part of it.

The costumers out there are going to love the section on costumes. It has sample drawings for all the main characters, ideas for cloth swatches and then pictures of the final outfit on the actor. Same with the Armory section, which is both weapons, armor and flags, banners and insignia for different races and Houses. Hey, there is even an insignia for Glorfindel, who was excised from the story, so you know the detail was being put in for all sorts of different storylines. If this book doesn't help the costumers out there, nothing short of patterns onsale at the local fabric store will help.

The creatures section is fascinating, as they really get into the technicality of making the monsters come to life. I must say just about everything in this section is ugly, but then again, Tolkien's bad guys weren't trying to be sneaky about being evil.

The last page of the book claims that it will continue in The Art of the Two Towers, so now that's just one more thing to look forward to. Make sure you look for this book in the next few weeks, as it's a real keeper.

I work at a division of Barnes 'n Noble and the date listed in our computer as being able to order the sheet music was April 28th. I ordered a copy and it is quite nice! Makes me wish I could play or read music...

The cover is of the theatre movie poster and inside there are a couple picture spreads (the Ring Wraiths, a picture of Frodo with Sting, The hobbits on Weathertop, Saruman, Orcs, Gandalf in Moria, and the front of a Lothlorien boat)

The songs featured in the book are:Aniron (Theme for Aragorn and Arwen)The ProphecyMany MeetingsLament For GandalfIn DreamsMay it Be

It even includes the English translation for "Lament For Gandalf" since Legolas wouldn't tell us! It was based on a poem written by Philippa Boyens.

Olorin who once was...Sent by the Lords of the WestTo guard the lands of the eastWisest of all MaiarWhat drove you to leaveThat which you loved?

No more will you wanderThe green fields of this earthYour journey has ended in darkness

The bonds are sundered,The spirit is broken,The flame of Arnor has left this World.

A great light has gone out.

Our love for this landIs deeper than the deepsOf the sea.Our regret is undyingYet we will cast all awayRather than submitWhat should be shall be